Buy Nootropics in Germany | The #1 A-Z Guide
Interested in buying nootropics in Germany? You’ve come to the perfect place!
Getting your hands on nootropics while living in Germany can be challenging. Luckily for you, I’ve done all the research and put together this comprehensive A-Z guide that will make buying nootropics in Germany an absolute breeze!
P.S: Here’s my top 100% legal recommendation!
My goal for this guide is to give you a complete overview of the nootropics scene in Germany and teach you everything you need to know about buying and using nootropics in this fantastic country.
We’ll discuss the most reliable online pharmacies to buy nootropics from and the best legal, over-the-counter nootropics to try!
Table of Contents
This is not medical or legal advice. This guide is strictly for entertainment purposes only. Always consult a medical professional before consuming any nootropic and always abide by the laws of your country. Please read my disclaimer page, too.
What Are Nootropics?
The term ‘nootropics’ [1] refers to any natural substance or synthetic compound that can be used to enhance one or more cognitive functions, such as concentration, attention span, and memory.
Humans have been using natural nootropics, such as Ginkgo Biloba which improves memory, for thousands of years, but synthetic nootropics are a much more recent development, dating back to the 1960s.
Nootropics are commonly referred to as ‘smart drugs’ because they enhance and facilitate learning. When taken by healthy individuals, smart drugs make it possible to work harder for longer periods without taking a break. This helps users accomplish more work and obtain superior results. Nootropics are also helpful for people with cognitive impairments.
The first synthetic nootropic to enjoy widespread popularity was the wakefulness drug Modafinil during the 1990s. Commonly prescribed to treat narcolepsy, Modafinil soon became known for its ‘off-label’ benefits like 12+ hours of intense concentration and the inability to feel fatigued [2]. Soon, students and professionals alike started using the drug to gain an advantage over their competition.
However, nootropics remain highly controversial within the medical community and many doctors and scientists have noted that there is scant research to support their effectiveness. To address these concerns, some companies have started producing all-natural nootropics that don’t require a prescription and can be bought over-the-counter in Germany.
These offer many of the same benefits as prescription nootropics, without any of the side effects.
Nootropics Side Effects and Safety
I strongly urge you to consult a doctor and read about potential side effects before you try any nootropic. The following section is NOT medical advice.
Many people are worried about the potential side effects and safety of nootropics. What you need to know is that there are two main types of nootropics:
- Dietary supplements that contain natural substances and do not require a doctor’s prescription
- Pharmaceutical drugs, like Modafinil, that require a doctor’s prescription.
Dietary supplement nootropics contain natural ingredients and generally cause no side effects in healthy individuals. Popular ingredients include citicoline, which has been shown to boost brain cell membrane formation, and Lion’s Mane Mushroom, which has been linked to significant cognitive improvements.
While dietary supplements are extremely safe, I still urge you to read the ingredients before making a purchase, especially if you suffer from any allergies. For example, if you are sensitive to caffeine, you may want to avoid nootropics that contain this common stimulant and try a caffeine-free product like Qualia Mind instead.
Nootropics that are pharmaceutical drugs, like Modafinil [3], require a doctor’s prescription to buy and use in Germany. As they have such a significant effect on mood and health [4], pharmaceutical nootropics typically produce strong side effects [5] such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Interrupted sleeping patterns
These side effects can be minimized by carefully monitoring intake and adjusting the dose accordingly [6].
Overall, all the nootropics recommended below can be considered safe — when taking at the recommended dosages.
Are Nootropics Legal in Germany?
Now, I’m not a lawyer or legal scholar so the following advice about the legalities of nootropics in Germany shouldn’t be misconstrued as anything other than hyperbole.
The legal status of any given nootropic in Germany depends on whether it is a dietary supplement or a pharmaceutical drug.
Nootropics that are dietary supplements are entirely legal and can be purchased from health food stores or online stores without a prescription. I’ll give you my pick of the top three over-the-counter nootropics in the next section!
However, nootropics that are pharmaceutical drugs, like Modafinil, fall into a legal grey area.
In Germany, all pharmaceutical drugs are regulated by the Bundesinstitut Fur Arzenemimittel Und Medizinnprodukt [7]. Under German law, you need a prescription from a doctor to buy these drugs from a pharmacy and it is an offense to order them online without a prescription.
However, it is legal to possess these drugs if they are for personal use, even if you don’t have a prescription.
In other words, if you are ever found to have a pharmaceutical nootropic without a prescription, the authorities may confiscate the drugs, but will not arrest you.
The downside is that Germany has some pretty strict custom controls, so getting pharmaceutical nootropics shipped to your address from overseas isn’t exactly straightforward.
I’ll explain exactly how to order these types of nootropics later in this guide.
Top 2 Legal Nootropics in Germany
If you’re living or working in Germany and don’t want to risk breaking the law, there are a range of legal over-the-counter nootropics that offer many of the same benefits of pharmaceutical products with any side-effects.
The top two legal nootropics in Germany are:
-
Mind Lab Pro
When I first moved to Germany, I realized that many of my favorite nootropics like Modafinil weren’t entirely legal, so I started experimenting with several legal nootropics instead. Of all the ones I tried, Mind Lab Pro was by far the most powerful and effective legal nootropic.
It contains 11 research-backed brain-boosting nootropics including citicoline, to boost brain cell membrane formation, Bacopa monnieri, to enhance delayed recall memory, and L-Tyrosine, to enhance mental performance.
These ingredients target six of the brain’s bio-pathways and provide a massive boost to concentration, memory, and overall performance.
Whenever I’m looking for a huge increase in productivity and alertness, Mind Lab Pro is my go-to over-the-counter nootropic!
-
Qualia Mind
When I began testing legal nootropics in Germany I found that many of them contained high doses of caffeine which left me feeling ‘on edge’ and jittery.
This is a world away from the clam alertness that I usually experience when I take pharmaceutical nootropics. I tried Qualia Mind, which is caffeine-free, and was pleasantly surprised. I found it gives me a big burst of concentration and helps me focus without giving me headaches.
Qualia Mind works best if you cycle it by taking it five days on and two days off each week, so it complements other natural nootropics. If I want a quick boost in reaction speeds and creativity, this is the nootropic I take!
The World’s Best Nootropic…
As you may have guessed by now, the world’s best nootropic in my opinion is Modafinil.
It’s an extremely powerful wakefulness agent that is prescribed in Germany exclusively to narcolepsy sufferers. It’s the ‘grandfather’ of all modern nootropics and there’s a massive worldwide demand for this powerful smart drug.
Modafinil popularity stems from its legendary ‘off-label’ benefits, including;
- Extreme focus for 12+ hours
- Increased productivity
- Enhanced cognitive functions
- Improved memory retention
- Inability to feel fatigued (great for all-nighters)
In short, Modafinil gives you a steady, long-lasting burst of alertness that no other drug can match.
When you’re on it, you get the sense that anything is possible. It helps you concentrate on your work without feeling fatigues and accomplish much more than you usually would.
Modafinil [8] may not be the newest nootropic but it outperforms almost anything else on the market. If you’re looking to send your productivity into the stratosphere, you really can’t find anything that works better or offers such a reliable experience!
Is Modafinil Legal in Germany?
As of 2008, Modafinil is a prescription-only drug in Germany [9]. This means that you need a prescription from a German doctor to buy and use it legally. German doctors only prescribe Modafinil for narcolepsy [10] and therefore getting a prescription for Modafinil from a German doctor isn’t easy.
To get one, you’ll need to get a doctor to formally diagnose you with narcolepsy, which can only be confirmed by a sleep test.
While buying Modafinil without a prescription is illegal, it is legal to possess Modafinil for personal use [11]. In the unlikely event that you are found to have Modafinil without a prescription, the drugs may be confiscated but you will not be arrested.
Despite Modafinil’s prescription-only status, it’s relatively easy to find online pharmacies that are willing to sell Modafinil and ship it to your address.
In general, all online pharmacies that ship to Europe will ship to Germany, however, you may find that some won’t. That’s because German customs are quite strict and routinely flag mail from destinations that online pharmacies commonly ship from, like India and Singapore.
But don’t panic!
My top-rated Modafinil vendor in Europe has no issues getting Modafinil into Germany — securely and without legal issues. No worries!
The Top “Social” Nootropic
The top “social” nootropic in Germany right now is Phenibut, a synthetic nootropic first synthesized in Russia during the 1960s.
Although Phenibut isn’t approved for human use in Germany, it is widely prescribed in some other countries to treat patients suffering from social anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and depression [12].
Phenibut has been dubbed ‘the happy pill’ because of its powerful ‘off-label’ uses such as lowering users’ levels of anxiety and nervousness and increasing their levels of confidence.
Phenibut is a good substitute for alcohol in many situations as it gives users a nice, warm ‘buzz’ and helps suppress their inhibitions. This has made it extremely popular with people who can’t or don’t want to drink alcohol for health or religious reasons.
Phenibut works by boosting the transmission of three important neurotransmitters, dopamine, GABA, and serotonin. This has a calming effect on the mind and is great for anyone who wants to get rid of their nervousness and feel completely relaxed.
Phenibut also has a powerful impact on cognition and can improve things like problem-solving ability, long-term and short-term memory, and verbal fluency. This makes it ideal for those who want to improve their ability to work collaboratively.
As I noted, Phenibut hasn’t bee approved for use in Germany and there are several known side-effects associated with its use [13]. The most common side-effects include nausea, dizziness, and stomach cramps, especially when coming off the drug [14].
When using Phenibut, you need to take it responsibly and be mindful of your tolerance to various dosages.
Yes!
Phenibut’s use, possession, and consumption are entirely legal in Germany. There are currently no laws outright banning the substance, making it perfectly legal to buy in pill or capsule form.
As Phenibut is popular with nootropics enthusiasts and bodybuilders, it is commonly sold by online supplement companies and is easy to find.
Nootropics Germany | Verdict
If you were curious about nootropics in Germany, hopefully, I’ve answered all your questions.
From legal issues to the best online vendors, and the best legal nootropics, we’ve covered it all in this entertaining guide.
You should have no legal issues buying and consuming nootropics for personal use in the country. Many Germans use nootropics to get a step ahead of the competition.
You can too!
Oh and don’t forget to click here and buy Modafinil from my favorite online vendors for Germans or people living in Germany!
References
- Malik R, Sangwan A, Saihgal R, Jindal DP, Piplani P. Towards better brain management: nootropics. Curr Med Chem. 2007;14(2):123-131. doi:10.2174/092986707779313408
- McClellan KJ, Spencer CM. Modafinil : A Review of its Pharmacology and Clinical Efficacy in the Management of Narcolepsy. CNS Drugs. 1998;9(4):311-324. doi:10.2165/00023210-199809040-00006
- Cunha, John, 2020. Side Effects Of Provigil (Modafinil), Warnings, Uses. [online] RxList. Available at: <https://www.rxlist.com/provigil-side-effects-drug-center.htm> [Accessed 11 July 2020].
- Becker PM, Schwartz JR, Feldman NT, Hughes RJ. Effect of modafinil on fatigue, mood, and health-related quality of life in patients with narcolepsy. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2004;171(2):133-139. doi:10.1007/s00213-003-1508-9
- 2020. Nuvigil Vs. Provigil: How Are They Different?. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/narcolepsy/nuvigil-vs-provigil> [Accessed 11 July 2020].
- Kim D. Practical use and risk of modafinil, a novel waking drug. Environ Health Toxicol. 2012;27:e2012007. doi:10.5620/eht.2012.27.e2012007
- de. 2020. Bfarm – Startseite. [online] Available at: <https://www.bfarm.de/DE/Home/home_node.html> [Accessed 11 July 2020].
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Modafinil, CID=4236, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/modafinil (accessed on July 11, 2020)
- de. 2020. Homepage. [online] Available at: <https://www.zlg.de/en/> [Accessed 11 July 2020].
- 2020. Bundesministerium Für Gesundheit (BMG). [online] Available at: <https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/> [Accessed 11 July 2020].
- de. 2020. Paul-Ehrlich-Institut – Homepage. [online] Available at: <https://www.pei.de/EN/home/home-node.html> [Accessed 11 July 2020].
- Lapin I. Phenibut (beta-phenyl-GABA): a tranquilizer and nootropic drug. CNS Drug Rev. 2001;7(4):471-481. doi:10.1111/j.1527-3458.2001.tb00211.x
- Zheng KH, Khan A, Espiridion ED. Phenibut Addiction in a Patient with Substance Use Disorder. Cureus. 2019;11(7):e5230. Published 2019 Jul 24. doi:10.7759/cureus.5230
- Jouney EA. Phenibut (β-Phenyl-γ-Aminobutyric Acid): an Easily Obtainable “Dietary Supplement” With Propensities for Physical Dependence and Addiction. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019;21(4):23. Published 2019 Mar 9. doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1009-0
